Eight centuries before the birth of Christ, the Prophet Isaiah had a thing or two to say about how we live our lives. Chapters 56-66 of the Book of Isaiah are addressed to the Israelites who have returned home to devastation in Jerusalem, after the Babylonian exile. With generations of banishment ended, they need to rebuild their lives, their community, and what it means to be a God follower.

When they returned to Jerusalem, the Israelites were no longer bound by the restrictions of exile. Humans don’t always handle freedom wisely, however, so God gave them instructions. First, God told the Israelites to fight injustice and workplace exploitation, to free the oppressed, to cancel debits, and to feed, clothe, and shelter those in need. This guidance has been enacted into law through civil rights, bankruptcy, and labor legislation, along with ...